12 Mile (Bishop Creek) Hot Springs – A Hidden Gem in Nevada

12 Mile Hot Springs, also known as Bishop Creek Hot Springs, is one of Nevada’s best-kept secrets—a natural, 102°F oasis located just 12 miles north of Wells, Nevada. With a flat 2-mile hike and relaxing, year-round access, this hot spring is perfect for families, couples, or solo adventurers looking for a peaceful soak surrounded by nature.

Did you know? Nevada has more natural hot springs than any other U.S. state, with over 300 spread across the region—most concentrated in the northern part of the state.

 

When to Go

While 12 Mile Hot Springs is accessible year-round, it’s especially popular in late fall, winter, and early spring. The contrast of warm water and crisp mountain air makes it one of the best winter hot springs in Northern Nevada. Just be cautious of road conditions after snowstorms.

How to Get to 12 Mile (Bishop Creek) Hot Springs

Driving Directions from Salt Lake City:

Drive west on I-80 toward Wendover.

Take Exit 351 for Wells, Nevada.

At the stop sign, turn right, then immediately right again onto 7th Street.

Turn left at the next intersection to cross the railroad tracks.

After crossing, turn left onto 8th Street, which becomes N Metropolis Road.

Continue north, passing two farm areas. You’ll reach a “T” intersection.

Park at the “T”—left continues as paved road, right becomes a rough dirt road.
🅿️ This is your trailhead. Begin hiking the dirt road to the hot springs.

🚗 Road & Vehicle Notes:

• A compact car can make it to the parking area—4×4 is not required unless there’s fresh snow or heavy mud.

• The road is paved but rough, with potholes and uneven surfaces.

• No signs mark the trailhead or hot springs, so use a map or GPS to confirm your location. Here is a driving driving map.

Final Tips for Visiting

• Bring your swimsuit, towel, and water shoes (the spring bottom can be rocky).

• Pack out all trash—leave no trace.

• No restrooms available, so plan accordingly.

• Bring snowshoes in winter if snow levels are high.

• Arrive early if visiting on weekends to avoid small crowds.

12 Mile Hot Springs is a relaxing escape that combines scenic hiking with a secluded soak—without the crowds. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Nevada, this one is a must!

Trail Info

Distance: 4 miles RT

Elevation gain: 150 ft

Time: Hiking to the actual hot springs only takes about 1 hour, but with the drive plus soaking time plan for an all day trip.

Dog friendly? Yes, off leash

Kid friendly? I would say yes for older kids, not babies. They need to be able to snowshoe on their own (or you being ok to carry them in a pack).

Fees/Permits? None.

Why Visit 12 Mile Hot Springs?

💦 Natural soaking pool with warm 102°F water

🥾 Easy 2-mile (round trip) hike along a scenic dirt road

🏞️ Surrounded by Bishop Creek and rugged high-desert views

🧖‍♀️ Less crowded than more popular hot springs

❄️ Best visited in winter—the warm water feels amazing in cold temps

🐾 Dog-friendly (on leash recommended)

 

Bishop Creek Hot Springs FAQs & Helpful Tips

Before you soak, here’s everything you need to know about visiting 12 Mile (Bishop Creek) Hot Springs in Nevada. Follow these guidelines to have a safe, enjoyable, and respectful experience at this hidden gem.

Is Bishop Creek Hot Springs on Private Property?

Yes, the hot springs are located on private land, but the landowners have kindly allowed public access via the dirt road. Please respect this privilege by following Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash and avoid damaging the area. Access could be closed at any time if abused.

Can I Bring My Dog? Are They Allowed in the Hot Springs?

Yes, dogs are allowed on and off leash, and they can swim in the pools.
However:

Be aware that hot water (over 100°F) may not be suitable for all dogs.

Keep your dog under control at all times.

Bring a long line in case other visitors are uncomfortable with off-leash dogs.

Bring your own waste bags—none are provided.

What Gear Should I Bring for Winter Hikes?

That depends on the snowpack:

• If hiking right after a snowstorm, snowshoes are recommended.
• On packed trails or after the snow melts a bit, microspikes may suffice.
• Snowshoes may be necessary since this trail isn’t well-traveled and often requires breaking trail in fresh snow.
• Bringing both snowshoes and microspikes is a smart option.

Can I Ride a Fat Tire Bike to the Hot Springs?

Yes! The old dirt road is great for fat tire biking.
Need to rent one? Try Hyland Cyclery or other local outfitters—rental rates average around $50/day.

How Crowded Does It Get?

Bishop Creek Hot Springs is rarely crowded, even on weekends.
You’ll likely have the pool to yourself, especially during the off-season or winter months.

What Should I Pack for the Hot Springs?

Here’s a quick checklist of helpful items:

🩱 Swimsuit & towel

🩴 Water shoes (like Chacos) to avoid slipping or stepping on debris

🧤 Warm layers & dry clothes for hiking out

🛍️ Plastic bags for wet clothes and towels

🧃 Drinks and snacks (a thermos of tea or a Jetboil for hot cocoa is perfect!)

🧢 Hat, sunscreen & sunglasses (yes—even in winter!)

🗺️ Detailed offline map (don’t rely solely on your phone)

🧯 Winter survival gear if snow is in the forecast

How Hot Is the Water at Bishop Creek Hot Springs?

🔥 Near the source: ~102–103°F

🌊 Western end (closer to the entrance): ~98°F

📏 Size: approx. 30 feet long by 8 feet wide

🌡️ Depth: ranges from 2 to 3 feet

Important Tips for Visiting Bishop Creek Hot Springs

• 🍴 Limited dining in Wells, NV – Only McDonald’s, Bella’s Diner, and Quiznos are available. Bring your own food if you prefer healthier options.

⛽ Fuel up in Wendover or Wells—remote areas have limited services and higher prices.

☀️ Even in winter, UV exposure is strong—bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

🦶 Water shoes protect your feet from slippery surfaces and broken glass—Chacos are a great choice.

🚫 To reduce any health risks, avoid submerging your head in hot spring water.

Respect the land, soak responsibly, and enjoy one of Nevada’s most underrated hot springs!

January

 Driving on N Metropolis Rd – it had been plowed but still snow-covered. Even though a small car could make it, I was still glad I had my snow tires on.

At the “T”, there was only one other car (this photo is taken looking East). We later passed the truck owner and he was out to hunt chukar birds, not to swim. Park in front of the cattle guard or along the side of the road. Usually you can see a “Private Property” sign, but it was buried under all the snow.  Ready to hike!

The “trail” isn’t really a trail, just an old road. You can’t get lost – just stay on the wide road the whole way. Judging by the old ski tracks, nobody had been out here in 2-3 days.

 Along the hike you’ll pass by rolling hills and cross this small stream. At 1.1 miles (halfway) you’ll cross the one and only cattle guard.

Charlie loves running in snow! I was really glad I brought my snowshoes – the depth ranged from 1-3 feet. My friend forget his snowshoes so I broke trail the entire way and he post-holed behind me. Snowshoeing is fun but hard work!

About 0.2 miles from the hot springs you’ll see this bridge. I thought, “Well, this should be easy to cross the bridge…”

Umm, NOPE! The bridge is definitely not cross-able. You’ll have to find a place to cross the creek below the bridge.

 

Crossing the Creek

This was on the way back, but we were able to cross just below the bridge. This was a first for me – crossing a river in snowshoes!

We arrived at Bishop Creek Hot Springs in 1 hour 15 minutes. I imagine without deep snow it would take less time to hike here.

The hot springs has been formed into a sort of “pool” – a wall has been built to separate the hot water from the cold river water. The pool size measures approximately 30 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 2-3 feet deep.

Another view of the hot springs.

One of the most challenging things to figure out when we arrived here was where to change into out swimsuits. The hot springs are located right where the canyon narrows, so the wind was whipping right through the canyon extremely fast. Even after standing around for just a few minutes I started to get really cold. It was so cold we even debated on not getting in because we couldn’t bear stripping down. However, we were able to find one large rock across the river that we could stand behind, which protected us from the wind. This is where we also kept our packs and towels.

Enjoying the Soak at Bishop Creek Hot Springs

The highlight of the day was finally soaking in Bishop Creek Hot Springs—it was incredibly relaxing! Even on a Saturday, we didn’t see a single other hiker all day, so we had the entire hot spring to ourselves. It was the perfect peaceful escape in the Nevada wilderness.

My dog Charlie absolutely loves soaking in hot springs, too. While dogs are allowed to swim and drink the water here, keep in mind that not all dogs tolerate hot temperatures well or enjoy the experience. Always monitor your pet closely. Charlie has never had any issues and actually becomes super relaxed after soaking. As usual, he climbed into my lap to enjoy the warmth!

When I bring him along, I always dry him off with a towel before hiking back to the car. I also keep an extra towel and a cozy blanket in the car to make sure he stays warm. It was so cold that day, both his eyebrows and my hair literally froze from the wind and steam!

Pro Tip: Don’t Forget Sunscreen

Even in winter, sunburn is possible due to the reflection off the snow and water. I forgot to apply sunscreen and ended up getting burned on my face and shoulders—even though we only soaked for about two hours. Always pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, especially when visiting hot springs at higher elevations.

Sometimes the hot springs were too hot and I had to walk around to cool off a bit.

My friend takes in the beautiful canyon views. While the water looks dark from photos, when you are swimming in it, the water is incredibly clear! There is the usual algae floating around but you can always see the bottom of the pool.

After soaking for roughly 2-3 hours, it was time to head back.

 

November

This time I went back in November, and there was zero snow and it reached about 64F during the day. I definitely prefer coming here in the middle of winter after a snow storm! My 2nd time here and still no one else was there!

 

Soaking with my baby once again!

He loves swimming so much!

 That water color is just amazing. So clear! Can’t wait to come back again!

Trail Map

You can see from the trail that it is a pretty straight shot to the hot springs. My track via Gaia GPS – the best tracking app! Get your app here for a discount.

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